Riddle Of The Swanship

Riddle Of The Swanship
By Paul Mc Cann

 

On the other side of Popple Mountain lay the crystal clear lake that surrounded  the village of Firesvale . The two white swans that lived on  Firesvale lake  had been there since the Castle Walls fell to ruin . Rumour had it that the two swans were actually the King and Queen who suddenly disappeared one day .

After the King and Queens had vanished the people of Firesvale held a meeting and commissioned the help of Lawsome the brave swordsman of Rath who was to climb to the top of Popple Mountain and seek out the oracle who was very knowledgeable and  wise . The only things that stood in the  way were the wild beasts of Popple Mountain and the Witches of the Green Mist who hindered and hated al those who tried to speak to the Oracle .

The people of Firesvale offered the ruined castle as reward to the Swordsman of Rath who accepted the quest . The first days journey on the mountain was one of caution . Leaving his horse to roam the green meadows at the foot of the mountain Lawsome began his climb to Popples peak  .Not that sure of his footholds and the sheer upward elevation of the cliff face saw Lawsome tread carefully and with caution . It seemed impossible at times but his perseverance paid off. He spent the first night inside a deep cave on the cliff . Just as he was drifting off to sleep a green mist surrounded him .Within seconds Lawsome was in the middle of a fierce battle with the three witches who had wasted no time in attacking . Possessed with supernatural powers the witches tried to confuse and blind the brave warrior who in turn wasted no time in cutting their heads off with his double edged silver Sword . Once the witched had died the mist lifted and the interior of the cave . Revealed a secret passage that went up inside the mountain . The path was much easier than hand to foot scampering up the cliff face and at the end of a week the path finished up on the outside near the top of  Popple Mountain . An orange sunset fell across the sky as Lawsome slowly and carefully made his way along the last few ledges . At the top of the mountain there was a large horn hanging from a stand .

There was a message near the stand that read ,

All who seek out the oracle must blow through the mouthpiece of the horn at the twilight of the day .

Lawsome had just arrived in time and lifted the horn from the stand and trumpeted out a loud blast through the horn .  All around the mountain and beyond the sound was carried in echoes .

Almost before he could take another breath he looked up and saw what seemed to be a sailing ship coming through the clouds . It headed towards him and the closer it got the better he could make out the beauty of this sailing ship . It was pulled through the sky by thirty white swans with gold and silver crowns on their heads . The swanship shone brightly in the twilight .

There were gems of every colour of the rainbow set into the ships structure and as Lawsome boarded the ship he was welcomed by beautiful lady with long golden hair . She placed a bracelet on his wrist and set him down upon a throne at the front of the ship . The ship through the sky until it came to a Kingdom in the Clouds where it came to a stop .  The sky was now dimly lit with night drawing in . The lady pointed towards a path and urged Lawsome to make his way there . Suddenly off the swans flew off in the direction of a large hall that was about the size of a Castle .

Lawsome followed in that direction .

On the outside of a huge double oak door Lawsome stood knocking .

The door opened by itself .

“Come in stranger . “ said a voice from within .

Lawsome walked down a long corridor and  as he did the door shut behind him . At the end of the corridor was another double door even bigger that the one before . He stood there and knocked and once again the door opened by itself to the same voice .,

“Welcome to my Kingdom stranger. “

The voiced seemed to come from behind about a dozen doors in the large room where he was standing .

“What is your name and why are you here ?”

“My name is Lawsome . I am the swordsman of Rath . My mission is to seek some information from the wise oracle .”

One of the doors in the room opened and the voice said ,

“Come in then Lawsome .”

As he walked in through the door it closed behind him and inside the room sat an old man on a large throne .

After a brief silence the old man said ,

“I am the dweller of Popple mountain and see all . I am the prince of the clouds and hear the secrets carried by the wind “. 

Said the old man who was facing the other way so as to hide his face .

The swordsman was edgy and kept hid hand on the handle of his sword .

He spoke out with authority and said , 

” Do you know what happened to the King and Queen who once lived in the Castle Firesvale . “

The old man answered ,

“I have been told that should you return with this answer then the Castle will be yours . Is that correct ?”

Lawsome answered ,

“Yes that is true “.

There was a swift scurry of feet across the floor as a large cage descended from the ceiling . In seconds the swordsman was trapped like a wild animal .

Torches ignited by themselves on all the walls around the room .

A strange atmosphere fell around the room and Lawsome shouted out ,

“Hello is anyone there .“

These huge dusty mirrors suddenly revealed themselves from all around the walls and Lawsome saw his own reflections gazing at him and some even spoke to him  .

“Now I am seen but unseen .“

said one .

“Now I have been  but I’m never seen “

said another .

Lawsome drew his sword and cut through the cage as if it were made of butter .

He stood there and said ,

“Tell me then what is this , some kind of riddle ?”

The voice of the old man sounded out again ,

“Find me first and see . ”

Lawsome opened up the door and found a spiral staircase in the middle of the large hall . Now intrigued he climbed to the top of the stairs and landed outside a black door with a silver handle .

“Come in prince of Firesvale .“ said the voice behind the door .

The swordsman went inside and found two swan on a throne . On each of their heads were crowns adorned with gold and jewels .

“Now you see us. “The swans said .

Lawsome was stunned and just as he was about to speak both of the swans flew off and shouted .

“And now you don’t .“

As Lawsome chased after them the old mans voice called him ,

“Lawsome . If you want to get out of here you must answer the riddle “

“Then tell me what the riddle is .“

“Man nor beast am I “ Said the old man .

“Are you a wizard ?” Lawsome asked .

“I am not a wizard but I have been unseen by the world for centuries .“

“Unseen you say then that means you are a ghost .“

The old man cheered and said ,m

“You are right brave swordsman and a ghost of this Kingdom with only three guests . Now you are the fourth guest who has come to stay . Like the King and the Queen of Firesvale who came before you seeking knowledge there is no return for any of you . Ha! Ha! Ha!  The swordsman was transformed into a swan and flew to be with the others who had also made the same mistake .

 

THE END